Bakersfield, California — Javonna Lewis, 26, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on Tuesday after being convicted of human trafficking, pimping of a minor, and torture.
The charges stem from an incident in December 2020 when Lewis forced her 17-year-old girlfriend into prostitution at the Desert Star Motel in Bakersfield. After the teen chose to rest instead of continuing to engage in prostitution, Lewis violently assaulted her for three hours.
Judge Judith K. Dulcich called the crime “one of the most heinous sex crimes” she had encountered during her tenure on the bench. The victim, who had been brought to Bakersfield from Fresno, managed to escape and was later hospitalized. She was reunited with her family after the ordeal.
The Desert Star Motel was shut down following an investigation that uncovered illegal activities, including prostitution. A raid in January 2021 led to the arrest of the owner and manager, along with the discovery of multiple sex workers and pimps at the location. The case highlights the ongoing fight against human trafficking in California.
